Dad charged after driverless boat carrying girl, 4, crashes into yard

1:24 PM,
Dec. 6, 2012

Written by

Andrew Ford
FLORIDA TODAY

After its intoxicated driver fell overboard in an accident with a dock earlier this week, a 19-foot boat careened across the Grand Canal - with the driver's 4-year-old daughter still inside - crashed through some trees and came to rest in a waterfront backyard, police said.

John Burns, 36, was charged with felony boating under the influence, BUI with property damage, child abuse and probation violation. Burns has three previous convictions for driving a car under the influence. He was serving felony probation for his most recent DUI conviction last year.